8 Portuguese villages and towns to visit during your vacation in Portugal

March 22, 2022

Looking for a vacation in Portugal ? You have all heard of Porto, Lisbon and the Algarve but there are many other small Portuguese cities waiting for you to visit which will most definitely seduce you. Today, I’m highlighting some cities in Portugal that are less known. It is not possible to make an exhaustive list but here are some Portuguese cities and villages to go visit during your vacation in Portugal.

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1 – Ferreira do Zêzere

Ferreira do Zêzere is located 1h30 from Lisbon and 2h00 from Porto, in the center of Portugal, at the same level as Coimbra and Leiria. A place out of time, in the middle of nature, a kind of oasis in the middle of mountains and green valleys. It is the best destination for those who want to enjoy a wild and quiet place. It is still not very known and visited and this village has immense treasures to explore. Don’t miss the beautiful Lago Azul lake with its many water sports activities and the Torre Templária de Dornes : a tower built over the Zêzere river whose outdoor terrace offers an awesome view of the village and the river beaches.

2 – Monsanto

Monsanto is a small charming village located in the east of Portugal, near the Spanish border, near Coimbra. Away from all the tourist circuits, this authentic and amazing village is a good place for a break. The village of Monsanto stands on top of a hill. A village with a unique charm because the houses were built around and under huge rocks using them as walls or roofs. This is why this village is called “Village of Rocks”. These houses built in the rocks make this village completely atypical and it is a very nice place to explore to discover these strange structures.

3 – Comporta

Sophisticated and wild, Comporta, only 120 km south of Lisbon, is a small paradise where nature is omnipresent. Comporta offers a turquoise sea and immaculate white sand. Comporta is an ideal place for your vacation in Portugal to get a breath of fresh air away from the crowded beaches of Lisbon. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced rider, consider scheduling a horseback ride on the beach, a great time for young and old.

4 – Evora

The charming city of Evora, located in the Alentejo region, is one of the oldest cities in Europe. Its historic center is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986. You will see many buildings with gothic architecture but also medieval buildings, and breathtaking landscapes. On the other hand, the gastronomy of Alentejana will seduce you for sure. Take advantage of your stop in Évora to stroll through its narrow streets. The contrast between the exuberance of the historical monuments and the simplicity of the white houses with colorful details will charm you.

5 – Sagres

With its rugged landscapes, steep cliffs, rolling waves and natural forests, you will love the charming village of Sagres located in the Algarve and quieter in summer than some of the other Algarve seaside towns. This fishing port also offer incredible beaches. The name “Sagres” comes from “Promontorium Sacrum”, a designation given by Greek and Roman authors of the 4th century BC. Don’t miss a visit to the Fortaleza de Sagres and the cliffs of Cape São Vicente (the most south-westerly point in continental Europe). Sagres is a really good choice for your vacation in Portugal.

6 – Barcelos

Located on the road to Santiago de Compostela, Barcelos is a small town in the north of Portugal. This one is notably known for its famous legend of the rooster. The rooster which became besides one of the symbols of Portugal. The legend would tell that at the time, several crimes took place in Barcelos and nobody was arrested. One man, who was on his way to Santiago de Compostela, was found guilty without evidence by the court. He claimed his innocence and went to the judge. Seeing a rooster near him, the accused said to the judge: “It is just as true that I am innocent as that your rooster will rise and crow when I am hanged! On the day of the man’s execution, the rooster crowed and the judge realized that the accused was indeed innocent. The judge ran to the place where the man was hanged. As a result of the knot being tied incorrectly, the man escaped execution, and was thus found innocent and set free.Barcelos is also known for its handicrafts, especially ceramics, including roosters of all sizes with beautiful decorations like the one in the photo below, which echo the legend previously told.

7 – Tomar

The beautiful city of Tomar, located in the center of Portugal, is known as the “city of the Templars”. This former seat of the Templar order, is a charming city with an intense artistic and cultural wealth. A curiosity of this city is that its historical center is organized in a cross, with a convent in each of the cardinal points. To the north is the old Convent of the Anunciada; to the south is the Convent of São Francisco; to the east is the Convent of Santa Iria and to the west is the magnificent Convent of Christ (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), which is one of the most important works of the Renaissance in Portugal. In the center of this cross is the Republic Square (Praça da República).

8 – Aveiro

I couldn’t do this article about best small towns for your vacations in Portugal without talking about Aveiro. You know how much I appreciate this small town with great charm. Known as the “Venice of Portugal”, Aveiro is the second most important city of the central region of Portugal, just after Coimbra. Aveiro occupies a strategic position, on the Porto-Lisbon axis. It is a city to visit. Stroll along the quays, take a ride on the moliceiro, eat a delicious tripa or simply stroll by the beautiful palheiros of Costa Nova.

Conclusion

You have a lot of Portuguese cities and villages to discover during your vacation in Portugal. Portugal is full of beautiful landscapes, places, monuments and it will always surprise you.

Don’t hesitate to take a road trip and get lost by car or on foot in less touristy places to discover this beautiful country.

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